Independence Day

My whole life the 4th of July has been a big production. Not only is it super fun to get amped up, cross the state line to buy "real" fireworks and cook out, but it's a time to spend with family and friends. The fact that my baby sister's birthday is July 4th always added to the excitement and the sheer delight of always having something fun to do. Since I moved "down South" I find myself wondering on this day if I will even get to light a sparkler. This is just unheard of. Where I come from there are exciting fireworks shows on every corner and if you were lucky you could even catch more than one. It was always fun to decide where we would go to view the action. Here in Tifton, they don't even have a fireworks display. Or do they? No one ever knows...some years they might, some years they don't. No one ever knows, you don't know who to contact to ask, and you'd be damned to try and get to another county--yes, I said county--in time to see some, because whichever one you picked probably isn't having them (womp womp wish we'd known before we drove 45 minutes out of town!). So, I try to make the best of it. For one, I try not to be the control freak that is bursting out of me: Wake up for an all-American breakfast, get ready in our not cheesey or over-the-top red, white and blue outfits, visit family for hotdogs, hamburgers and all the fixin's, swim and relax, and pack the cooler for the fireworks show at the park (Hey, that sounds pretty fun). I sit back, and whatever the day brings me, which will probably not be much seeing as how we have no amenities here in our rural community, I try and be thankful for. Just being able to be with my family makes me happy. I just wish I could give my daughter and husband the fun memories that I was fortunate enough to enjoy when I was young. Who knows? Maybe someday this small town will get their act together and even have a parade? I'm not sour, though it may seem, I just sigh and wish I could be some place bigger. I'll have to try and make do--like I am becoming acustom to. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!